LAKEVIEW GOLF RESORT AND SPA

We arrived early at the Lakeview Golf Resort and Spa and weren't able to check in as they were still cleaning the unit.  One thing about being at a timeshare is the ability to trade.  If you do this on a bit of the off-season, you can still get the area attractions and in many cases a larger unit than the one you trade.  Our unit had two bedrooms and two and half bathrooms.  Each of the bedrooms upstairs (Oy, the climb) had a full bathroom and tv.  The bathroom downstairs was perfectly placed at the entrance.  Full kitchen with dishwasher, dining area and living room with a tv and couch.  Washer and dryer.  What more can you want?  At no extra charge you can get the cleaning folks to tidy the place the whole week.  I only asked for it once.

There is a hotel on the premises and quite common for groups to come in and book events.  You park in front of your unit but may not be as easy if you're stopping at the hotel.  That's where the computer is that gave me access to my email at no charge.  I did not bring my laptop.  Otherwise there is free wi-fi.

An 18-hole golf course tees off just at the hotel near the entrance to one of their two restaurants, Legends, a sports bar with casual dining.  The other restaurant, Fusions, has an entrance in the hotel or across the way from Legends.  Fusions is all about the buffet.  Weekends offers an all you can eat with a pasta and prime rib station for about $25.  Pick a pasta, sauce and various items for the chef to cook up.  On one weekday night a buffet minus the stations was about $15.

Continuing on with the resort, there is a Fitness Center. How perfect that you cannot drive to it as the walk (not that far) will get your heart rate going.  I'm told (Laurie made use of the place) that there are various machines and a pool.

Spa Roma, where you can park your car, is on the premises but not owned by the resort.  It was there that I had my hair cut and styled as well as having a facial.  I looked good and felt great! Laurie had a most relaxing massage.  Oh...we didn't do all of this that first day!!!

Needless to say, being at a timeshare, you have the option to cook your own meals.  The nearest and best place to shop?  Kroger. Had it all! Organic produce, prepared food.  For me it was a cross between Fairway Market and Stop & Shop.  

I am told that they are going to be doing much renovations to the resort.  Great spot to hold a convention and perhaps a golf championship.  As for location, I think that the nearest airport is in Pittsburgh, PA which is about 50 miles away.  Well worth it as there is much to do in Morgantown.

Each time we left the unit, this is the view that we got.  Not sure what the company was that had the plant but It helped in navigating our trip. 

FORGET TIMESHARE IN MANHATTAN

I had gotten a phone call from some guy named Phil who works in the marketing department for the Manhattan Club, a timeshare in midtown Manhattan. Offer was Broadway tix, dinner or a $100 Visa card. I agreed and he said that a letter would be sent to me for the date that I had chosen. The weekend went by and no letter was received. I understand that the letter specifically says that you must present the letter in order to get the gift. I called saying that I didn't receive the letter and wanted to reschedule. This next person, Jose, says that he would make a point to send the letter on Wednesday for my Friday appointment. The letter never came and I called on Monday to reschedule. They told me that the letter was coming from Philadelphia. Now, that's really far away from New York City! They finally agreed to give me an appointment and note that I would not have a letter to hand in. Now, they did try to email that letter, but my printer just isn't doing well.

The appointment was made for 3 p.m. Due to some transit problems, I didn't arrive until about 3:30. You had to hear the arguments going for not giving me a tour due to "nobody available". I was relentless on this since I traveled into Manhattan and they were the ones who solicited me in the first place. They finally found someone.

I listened to the timeshare schpeel including this whole thing involving a point system. The woman kept asking if I had any questions and just didn't. I got it. So, we are finally ready to see a timeshare unit as she tells me that the maintenance fee is about $2,000! That maintenance fee is for a week at the Manhattan Club.

Wait...it gets better! I view a unit, which looks like a fancy-ish hotel room with a bath and a half, bedroom, living room and semi-kitchen. That means that there is a small refrigerator and a microwave.

Now we go to the price of buying the week of this one-bedroom unit. Would you believe $33,995! In other words, if I were to buy and spend 7 nights at this hotel for the next ten years, I would be paying $44,000. You do the math and no one says that the maintenance fee will stay the same.

The selling point is that I could trade points and get more vacation elsewhere. They tried to explain how I could do this. I didn't care. In 1982 I purchased a one bedroom unit with a bath and a half and full kitchen in Provincetown for $4100 and I have now ceased to complain that the maintenance fee has gone up to $535.

After Judy did her thing, she summoned the manager to do his thing. I still declined. The woman was doing her utmost to get me to put down a deposit to think about it. I said that I didn't want to and she said that I'd be stupid to pay more if I decided later on. They always do this with timeshare!

Well, they didn't have a $100 Visa card but handed me a check for $100. I hope it doesn't bounce. As for the letter...it's like, "The check is in the mail".

Calaveres County Encounters at Timeshare

Nancy awoke early to take a walk around the timeshare. First video is when she noticed these vultures circling and the trees they hung out at. The next is the search for a parking spot that should have been given to us. Also a photo from the timeshare entrance.

Calaveras County Encounters

After completing our trip to Amador County, Barb, Nancy and I were off to check into a timeshare unit called World Mark located in the town of Angels Camp. We were seeing many vultures flying above. Nancy spotted two particular trees of these vultures who were waiting to feed upon the dead bodies of those who bought timeshare and committed suicide when they realized that the actual cost was far more than they expected. The trees actually house their own timeshare, which is why the take turns hanging there or flying. Photos by Nancy Kozicki